Our co-curricular programme
There is overwhelming evidence that students who involve themselves in co-curricular activities excel in their academic studies. But our co-curricular programme is about so much more than that. We want our students to try new things, to discover and nurture talent, and to challenge themselves to go beyond their own expectations.
Younger students do three activities a week or more, while older students are guided to develop a balanced programme as a counterpoise to their academic studies and to develop their leadership skills.
Explore, evolve and enjoy
Themes of Creativity, Activity and Service guide our programme, with students encouraged to ensure they include activities that cover these areas.
With over 90 activities per term, there are plenty of exciting things for our students to try, from dance to electronics, chess to yoga – as well as off-site activities including sailing and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
There are also weekend activities for boarders (and day students who want to join in), including cinema trips, bowling, theme parks and visits to London.
Our aims for students
- To challenge themselves in different situations and develop greater personal confidence and social skills
- To recognise the worth of both participation and excellence
- To develop a strong sense of responsibility, mutual support, self-awareness and tolerance towards each other, our school and our community
- To progress personal interests and develop new skills and passions through a broad range of creative, active and service activities
Sport, PE and Wellness at Leighton Park
Take a look +
Hear our Director of Sport, PE and Wellness, Jez Belas, talk about our distinctive approach. Our students have enjoyed success in ISA competitions, with some of our Advanced Performer Programme members going on to the highest levels in their sports. While we celebrate these achievements ours is very much a sport for all approach, where every student can enjoy being active, competing and developing their skills.
We run fixtures with multiple teams at each age group. Teams and individuals compete in a wide range of county, regional and national fixtures every year. As a result, many of our top athletes are often selected for county, regional and national teams.
Students who reach a representative level of sport are offered individual strength and conditioning sessions as well as additional sporting opportunities via our Advanced Performer Programme (APP) to support their training outside of school.
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Music
While music may hide away at the fringes in some schools it is very much front and centre at Leighton Park. There are up to 30 music activities running each term, from guitar ensemble to a capella, rock school to orchestra there is plenty to choose from.
Film making
Our Film, TV and animation club provides students of all ages the opportunity to explore every facet of film making and perhaps even follow in the footsteps of famous Old Leightonian film producers including Sir David Lean and Karel Reisz.
Workshops with external speakers, including top cameraman Sam Renton (whose many credits include the Harry Potter films) and BBC journalist and Old Leightonian Simon Clemison have given keen insights into the art of production and editing for our young filmmakers.
Drama and Dance
Drama and Dance are a major part of the co-curricular life of the school and students of all ages and abilities can get involved.
The Senior School Productions are a highlight in the School calendar. An annual event alternating between a dramatic and a musical production provides an opportunity for students to not only perform, but also take on the stage management and technical production roles.
LAMDA classes are also available.
Community Outreach
Quakers seek to understand the causes of social injustice, social unrest and fear, and work to bring about a just and compassionate society, one where everyone can develop their capabilities.
Leighton Park has a student-led charity called Amicus, while many of our co-curricular activities include an outreach or service element, such as playing concerts in hospital wards, tutoring primary school students in sports or raising money for worthwhile causes.
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award gives all young people from Year 9 upwards, the chance to develop skills for life and work, fulfil their potential and have a brighter future.
The Bronze Award is offered to Year 9 students in the Co-Curricular programme, students in Year 10 may opt to do the Silver Award in their CAS sessions, and students entering the Sixth Form may start at the Silver level if they have not done DofE previously, while those who have completed either Bronze or Silver are encouraged to take up the challenge at Gold level.
